NLEX has its first player transaction under new coach Jimmy Alapag.
The Road Warriors reached a deal with Phoenix that will send sophomore guard Evan Nelle to NLEX for forward Sidney Onwubere.
Trade papers had been sent to the PBA Commissioner's Office on Thursday for approval.
READ: Jimmy Alapag's homecoming started with Gilas conversations
The move came just three days after Alapag was officially introduced as new shot-caller of the Road Warriors.
Should the trade be approved, Nelle will be joining his third team in only his second season in the league.
The 28-year-old guard was the second round pick of Northport in the Season 49 draft, but was soon moved out to Phoenix the moment Titan Ultra officially took over the Northport franchise.
Despite playing only as a third option in the Fuel Masters' backcourt, Nelle still thrived in his role especially after Charles Tiu took over the coaching reins at Phoenix.
In the last Commissioner's Cup, he averaged 8.08 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
Nelle actually ranked second in four-point shooting percentage at 42.11 (8-of-19) and ranked third for the most number of four-point shots made with eight.
Yet somehow, he's long been rumored to be on the trading block. Several teams showed interest in the guard, who won a championship each in the UAAP (La Salle) and NCAA (San Beda), including NLEX.
Onwubere, 32, meanwhile will be joining his seventh PBA team in Phoenix.
He was a first round pick at no. 8 overall by TNT in the 2017 draft and later, won two championships during his stop at Barangay Ginebra.
A free agent after being released by Northport, the big man out of Emilio Aguinaldo College was signed by NLEX early in the season-opening Philippine Cup.
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